Lakewood Ranch Main Street adds policy governing unsupervised children

Main Street at Lakewood Ranch implemented a new "Parent on Site" policy on Wednesday that requires all children under 16 years of age to be accompanied by an adult after 6 p.m.

The policy was announced by Amanda Zipperer of Lakewood Ranch Commercial.

The policy reads, "For the safety and enjoyment of all Main Street visitors, Main Street security will work with the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office to coordinate and enforce the ‘Parent on Site’ policy. Our policy requires all visitors under the age of 16 years old must be accompanied by an adult after 6 p.m. This includes all Main Street events and concerts. Any unaccompanied visitors under the age of 16 on the property after 6 p.m. will be asked to leave the property or wait with a security officer until their parents arrive.”

In a release, Zipperer said the policy has been under consideration for several months due to "minors fighting, causing property damage and being generally disrespectful of visitors, merchants and the Main Street property."

Zipperer said Main Street merchants had requested an on-site policy.

Many parents have dropped off children for movies and for special events, leaving them unsupervised.

“We want to do right by the community and offer everyone a fun, safe place to go,” Zipperer said in the release.